The crescent moon shone through the sky, lighting the drifting clouds. The rainforest encircling the City of Dawn sang, from birds to cicadas.

At the switchback trail, Maya studied the citadel teeming with life. Before the invasion, she made plans to rebuild the Night Guard in her home. Many warriors from sister locations gathered around the base.

"I figured it'd be a matter of time, but I'm concerned," Maya said through the earpiece. Orchid called her to explain Carrie's involvement in Kim's quest.

"That's why scientists are creating a device for her," Orchid said. "They've examined her brain patterns and discovered that the limbic system is the most active."

"What's that?"

"Brain structures related to emotions and memory."

"Ah, and what would this device do?"

"Whenever Carrie gets angry, the receiver senses it and prevents her from using her powers."

"Wait, so she can't use them?"

"Only when she's angry."

"Ah. That makes sense." Maya spotted a gathering around a stone courtyard. Huh. What's going on? "Orchid, something happened at HQ."

"Do you need help there?"

"I'm fine for now. Keep me posted with anything."

"Will do."

After ending the transmission, Maya headed on the trail. The crowd had weapons and torches when she arrived at the stone plaza. They parted, allowing her to pass.

"Chefe!" a man shouted as he and his companion approached her. "Thank goodness you're here!"

"What happened?" Maya asked.

"Pemba caught a lycanthrope sneaking around HQ," the other man said. "She's at the top waiting for you."

Though stunned, Maya furrowed her brows. Lycanthropes were dangerous creatures, as told from the stories. "You say Pemba is up there?"

Both men nodded. Squinting, Maya walked towards the staircase. Once she reached the summit, Pemba sat on her haunches in her Snow Lion form.

Scratches littered her pale fur. Her chest rose and fell as she breathed through her nose. Clamped in her jaws was a bipedal wolflike creature; she held it by its neck.

The creature was about 5'11 and weighed 400 pounds. Yet, Pemba held the beast as if it were weightless, its feet dangling. Bluish-gray fur covered its entire body. Needle-marked veins bulged within its thinner arms. A ragged pair of gray pants clung to its waist.

Green blood leaked from the beast's injuries. Every ten seconds, its body twitched and shuddered.

"Bem, eu vou ser condenado," Maya said. "Baron Konrad Von Sabrewulf. Are you okay, Pemba?" Well, I'll be damned.

Though tired, the Snow Lion nodded.

"That's good. I'm impressed. Surviving a werewolf battle is rare. You would make an ideal monster hunter. Now, to uncover the creature's purpose here."

Maya crept closer until the monster's yellow eyes opened. She stepped back, unsheathing her daggers.

"...P... Please..." he muttered with a German accent. "Don't... kill me." Almost everyone gasped at this creature talking. "Are you... Maya Fallegeros of the Night Guard?"

"Yes?"

"Forgive me... for my intrusion. I wouldn't do this unless it were of importance."

Maya tilted her head. "How are you able to talk? Once a person becomes a werewolf, they lose their voice."

"Kan... Kan-Ra helped me."

Before long, the audience expressed outrage at the sorcerer's name.

Maya scowled. "You're working with that sorcerer?"

"N-Not quite," Konrad slurred. "Are you familiar with Kan-Ra?"

"He enslaved my people centuries ago when he arrived here. Also, he terrorized locals and murdered innocents."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry. Kan-Ra has been a cunning bastard, but I never thought he'd be capable of such acts."

"What about this blue fur? Did Kan-Ra do this too?"

"No. That was my doing. I've tried various medicines and-and remedies to cure my affliction, including silver. It's clear that it didn't work out."

Maya squinted at the green blood painting the werewolf's body. Although not an expert on drugs and their effects, she could tell that whatever substance the creature used left a profound impact. "Hmm. Does your treatment plans involve stealing relics?"

"W-What are you talking about?"

Sheathing her daggers, Maya approached the werewolf, searching for something until she found a rolled-up scroll in the left back pocket. She grabbed it despite the Baron's protests. "What's this? I collected this healing scroll from a mission a few days back. Care to explain?"

"Ms. Fallegeros, please... I must have that scroll. Since losing everything, my connection with humanity has grown dimmer. Once it leaves, I would become like-like my father, or worse."

"Still, you shouldn't steal relics from Night Guard locations-here included. The punishment for this crime is death."

"What... proof do you have of these 'crimes' I committed?"

Maya motioned one of Orchid's agents to come forward and said something Konrad couldn't catch. From his equipment bag, the agent took out a hologram device. Once he activated it, a blue light emerged, showing 3D pictures in full view.

"Ultratech satellites took these pictures of you sneaking into each Night Guard location," Maya said. "When ARIA told me of your thievery, I didn't believe her until she showed me the pictures. I even spoke with the leaders in those affected areas, and they confirmed her story."

The werewolf growled. Damn that traitorous AI bitch! "Regardless, those relics prevent my descent into the beast's violence. For someone leading a clan of monster hunters, you come across as a bit--!"

Pemba dug her teeth deeper, earning a painful cry from Konrad.

Maya patted the lion's snout. "Easy, Pemba."

Konrad clenched his teeth. "Ms. Fallegeros, I did not come here... to cause trouble. I wish to speak with you."

"For what purpose?"

"To join forces."

An uproar erupted within the group, screaming for Konrad's death until Maya raised her hand to silence them.

"Put the Baron down, Pemba, but keep him pinned."

The Snow Lion tipped her head with an 'Are you sure?' expression.

Maya nodded in response.

After a slight pause, Pemba followed the instructions.

Konrad placed his hands over his neck.

"What's your reason for joining?" Maya asked.

"Throughout my life, I've made so... so many mistakes. No matter what-what I did, awful things happened. Should I die, I desire to atone for my sins and support the Alliance."

"This is a werewolf trick!" A well-built man stepped forward, wielding a staff. "The moment we let him in, he'll slaughter everyone and steal more relics. Also, he's a drug addict, making him more dangerous. What if he's under Gargos' influence?"

"How could I be under that... creature's influence? I've never met that monster!" Konrad said.

"Gargos control the minds of desperate or vulnerable people. He used Kan-Ra to break the seal into our world. Also, from my understanding, he swayed Jago to join him at some point."

"I will counter that," Maya said. "Jago was a child when it happened."

"True, but I'm only pointing it out as a reference," the bo fighter said. "What if Gargos possessed this beast to infiltrate and discover a weak spot?"

"I'm not possessed!" Konrad said.

"Both of you, enough!" Maya shouted. She then shifted towards her fellow warrior. "You made a valid point about Gargos' mind manipulation and the Baron's drug addiction. I'm also not saying we should have him as a member. I decide to co-exist."

"Co-exist?"

"The Baron understands that coming here would mean death for him. Yet, he's risking his life to seek aid. While I agree he must die, I'll push his sentence aside for now. However, he'll be under surveillance should he succumb to the dark side."

"That'll never work. How can we trust this thing?"

"If the Baron intended to slaughter us, he would've done so by now." Maya shifted to the werewolf. "Despite your intentions, Baron, you risk becoming a liability."

"Why do you think that?" Konrad asked.

"The fate of our planet may depend on your wild nature. Are you willing to prove yourself?"

"I shall."

Maya stared at the werewolf. She had no reason to believe he was lying. After some hesitation, she pressed the transmitter. "Hey, Thunder, are you busy?"

"No. What is it?"

"A guest arrived in the hideout. I need you and Eagle to clean him up and patch his wounds. Pemba did a number on him."

"Do you want us at the facility?"

"No. Try the dungeon. I want to keep everyone safe, but bring medical supplies."

"Alright, then."

Maya ended the call. "As for you, Baron, next week, you'll have a test spar."

The assembled party gasped.

"Is that idea wise, Chefe? A scratch from that monster will curse its opponent!" the bo fighter said.

"Do not worry," Konrad assured. "The virus is... is used to human DNA, so it's redundant. It only activates if I hit something new unless they're resistant."

Maya and Pemba exchanged glances until the latter growled and pounced on the werewolf.

"Kē timīlē malā'ī saṅkramita garyau, ē murkha janāvara?!" Pemba yelled.

Speechless, the werewolf froze until he collected himself. "Um, what did this lion say?"

"Hang on. I have a translator device." A woman checked the recent message. "Oh. Okay. Pemba said, and I quote, 'Did you infect me, you stupid beast?'"

Swallowing, Konrad glanced at the Snow Lion, who bared her teeth. "I guess an apology wouldn't cut it, right?"

Pemba placed her paw on the beast's neck, her claws hooking into his skin.

"Calm yourself," Maya said. "We don't know how it'll affect you as a shapeshifter. Take him to Thunder and Eagle. When you return, we'll talk more on the issue."

Pemba grabbed Konrad by the neck and headed toward the fortress.

"Chefe, do you believe it will help us fight Gargos? He'll never keep his word," the bo fighter said.

"Oh, he will. If he doesn't, my daggers will strike his flesh. Besides, Wulf isn't stupid enough to do that."

***

In the vault, Hinmatoom and Tipyeléhne prepared themselves while sorting the traditional medicine of their tribe and other medicinal supplies.

"Who could this 'guest' be?" Tipyeléhne asked.

"We'll see," Hinmatoom said. "For Pemba to inflict such damage as Maya described, it had to be formidable."

"Ow!" a German-accented voice cried. "Will you stop biting my neck?"

The Nez Perce brothers shared glances before shifting their attention to the stairs. When Pemba arrived with her prize, they froze. Within her jaws, Konrad's face scrunched from the pain spreading around his neck.

"Is that...?" Tipyeléhne said.

Hinmatoom narrowed his eyes. "It's unexpected to see the hímiinhaama."

Upon hearing a familiar voice, Konrad opened his eyes. "Thunder? Eagle? I can explain--"

Hinmatoom raised his hand. "Not a word. You have some nerve showing your face around me after what transpired with my brother, amongst other things."

Konrad turned away. "It isn't something I'm proud of. With your brother, I had good intentions to help him."

"You could've informed me what had happened, and I would've taken him out of your hands. Instead, you were concerned about potential lawsuits, so you planned to use his remains (if he died) for one of your projects. It was selfish and unethical."

"I know! With no choice, I sought to save the company from collapse."

"There's always a choice!"

"Hey, easy, big bro," Tipyeléhne said. "That's in the past. We need to concentrate on the present."

Hinmatoom sighed and folded his arms. "Why are you here, Baron? There's a death sentence awaiting you, right?"

"Ja, ja, I'm aware. I told Maya about joining the Alliance. Now, can you please convince this she-devil to let me go?"

Growling, Pemba bit down harder, earning another yelp from the human-wolf creature.

"Alright, Pemba, set him down. You should seek treatment for your wounds, too," Hinmatoom said.

The Snow Lion peered at her injuries. She approached an open cell and tossed Konrad to the ground. While leaving, Pemba mumbled something in her native tongue.

"Hey, bro, be careful with him," Tipyeléhne said. "I'm clueless about the events regarding the hímiinhaama, but that green blood isn't normal."

Hinmatoom squinted. "Agreed."

While Tipyeléhne tended to Pemba's wounds, Hinmatoom stepped inside the cell. For safety reasons, he left the door somewhat closed.

Konrad groaned while pushing himself up to sit. "Damn, shapeshifter. She didn't have to throw me like that."

"I'm curious what you did that pissed her off," Hinmatoom said.

"She thinks I passed my... curse onto her in our scuffle. Maya isn't sure how it would affect a shapeshifter, so...."

"Ah, I see. Well, I'm sure Pemba will be alright. She can turn into a wolf."

"Comforting." Konrad recoiled when he touched his neck.

"Don't touch that area," Hinmatoom said. "Let me examine the wounds."

Konrad drew deep breaths to distract himself from his pain. His body kept jerking despite his attempts to remain still.

While combing the fur, Hinmatoom spotted dark bruising on the werewolf's stomach and chest with multiple scratches. The neck area was the most affected, littered with bites. "Wow. Maya wasn't kidding when she described how injured you were. Pemba fucked you up."

Konrad scoffed. "No shit. It was my first time fighting a shapeshifter. I didn't sense her presence until she attacked me. I'm surprised she hadn't killed me, given she bit my neck several times and manhandled me."

"Well, you should be fortunate. Had Pemba buried her teeth into your spine, she would've disabled you for life or killed you."

"I'd rather die than have a disability. The latter--agh!" Konrad jumped when Hinmatoom brushed his fingers near a hidden wound. "That hurt!"

"Be still. Jesus, you're acting like a baby." While he kept examining, Hinmatoom found more, but they had long since healed. Upon closer inspection, the injuries showed traces of experimental activity.

In addition, he discovered a pinkish-circled scar around Konrad's upper right arm, as if something had torn it off. Yet somehow, the werewolf healed and reattached his arm.

Hinmatoom recalled a theory he had heard about Konrad's fate after the tournament. If this is Ultratech's work, my God, what have they done to him? What drugs did they give him?

"Thunder?" Konrad said. "Is everything okay? You look concerned."

"Oh, it's nothing. The scratches and bite marks won't be a problem to treat, but those bruises concern me. They could be signs of internal blood loss."

"So, what can... be done?"

Hinmatoom mused. "Since I am not a doctor, I can't determine if you have internal bleeding. However, I would suggest rest and drinking water. In time, it should resolve itself."

"What about those healing scrolls?"

"You mean the ones you tried to rob? We're saving them for more critical situations."

"There you go, Pemba," Tipyeléhne said, grabbing Konrad and Hinmatoom's attention as he finished dressing the shapeshifter's wounds. "Try to rest; soon, you'll be like a streamlined butterfly."

The Snow Lion pressed her snout against Tipyeléhne, earning pats. As she left, Pemba glared at Konrad. With a snort, she climbed the stairs.

Konrad waited until Pemba was out of earshot. "I hope I don't face her in this upcoming spar."

"There's no guarantee who you'll face," Hinmatoom said. "I don't understand, Baron. What drove you to steal artifacts from the Night Guard? Are you desperate to find a cure or have a death wish?"

"I suppose it's... both. Only my humanity remains, and returning to my old life is impossible. I'm hurt, Thunder. So much fucking pain. If I cannot release myself from this prison, I'll end up dead, whether on my terms or--or the Night Guard's sentencing."

Hinmatoom only stared. Baron von Sabrewulf was one of the most significant men on Earth. Now, he had become a withering, drug-induced shell of his former self. Although he still had an axe to grind against Konrad, he couldn't help but pity him.

"Tipyeléhne," he called as the younger sibling peeked. "Can you grab me a mortar with a pestle and some herbs?"

"You got it." Tipyeléhne left.

"Thunder, what would the Night Guard do to me?" Konrad asked.

"If I know my Inca Empire history, they may push you off a cliff. There's also stoning, clubbing to death, hanging--either by neck or feet," Hinmatoom said. "I'm amazed Maya let you join."

"She never said I got accepted. She's only letting me live because of the crisis. I meant what I said to--to her. To some extent, I'm responsible for releasing such evil. I regret going to that auction and purchasing that-that damned mask. The least I can do is help the Alliance before it's too late."